November 15, 2018 at 12:56PM When Nicole Kidman isn’t shooting suspense-filled scenes on the hit HBO show Big Little Lies, she’s known for keeping up a pretty enviable self-care routine. (Ginger shots, vitamins, and workouts are all part of the equation.) So it’s not surprising (like, at all) that the actress has also mastered her morning routine by squeezing companionship and exercise into one morning swim with her husband, Keith Urban. “We’re Australian, both of us, so water is very therapeutic,” Kidman tells Allure. It’s true: Taking a dip boasts a whole host of health benefits, including improving your mental health, boosting your running ability, and strengthening your lungs. “Reese [Witherspoon] is our next-door neighbor. Reese will be going, ‘What are you doing in the water, you lovebirds?’ She’ll tease us because she rarely goes in the ocean.” – Nicole Kidman “We have a beach house, and we will get up in the morning before we have breakfast, and we’ll go in the ocean. Reese [Witherspoon] is our next-door neighbor. Reese will be going, ‘What are you doing in the water, you lovebirds?’ She’ll tease us because she rarely goes in the ocean. ‘You crazy Australian kids’,” she adds. Just a day in the life of Nicole Kidman. If you’re game to emulate the habit, go ahead: Invest in a saltwater pool membership or book it to the closest body of water. Here’s why Kidman advocates for wellness “microdecisions,” and how she gets her glow on. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by
Category: City
If you need me, I’ll be at Costco getting *all* the pricey beauty products for way less
November 15, 2018 at 11:05AM Years ago, Costco was generally thought of as the place you went to buy cheeseballs in bulk, but oh boy has that changed. The store has slowly but surely turned itself into a place health nuts hit up on the regular—whether it’s for the long-lasting avocados, affordable succulents to add to your urban jungle, fitness memberships, acai bowls, or even discounted exercise equipment. Seriously, it has it all. And now its beauty category is majorly expanding, too. According to the Beauty Independent, Costco is now selling prestige beauty products—most of which you can buy right online. And of course in true Costco fashion, you can expect all the markdowns, making it possible to snag some of your favorite pricey (and super luxe!) beauty products for a fraction of the cost. “Like all retailers today, they want to capture the millennial,” said Tom Winarick, president and CEO of BioBoutique Beauty Lab. “There’s a lot of traditional luxury prestige retailers that haven’t gotten there yet, and here you have Costco doing it.” Aside from big brands like Dr. Brandt and Clinique, Costco is also emphasizing Japanese beauty products with plenty of additions from Tatcha and Shiseido—AKA things you’d normally find at department stores or at Sephora. There is one catch when shopping the items from the mega retailer, though. While there are beauty products you can buy as a non-member, most of these higher-end options require the membership. But hey—since this is just one of the many perks of
You know you have a flawless poop when when the tissue is clean post-wipe
November 09, 2018 at 09:58AM Going number two is pretty rote at this point, right? You go, you wipe, you flush. Pretty simple. But if you’re going through rolls of TP faster than Pete and Ari’s engagement (too soon?), you might actually have a problem. While toilet paper of course serves an important purpose, it turns out there shouldn’t be much use for it at all if your body is functioning properly and making healthy poops. In a recent episode of the Urban Wellness Clinic‘s podcast, naturopathic doctor Marisol Teijeiro, ND, mentioned something pretty mind-blowing: After wiping, that piece of two-ply tissue should still look spotless. “You should have absolutely nothing on the paper,” she says. “Don’t be a hyper-wiper. You should wipe once, and wipe clean.” Okay, this is obviously news to a lot of us. But this whole “wipe once” thing isn’t just about saving money on toilet paper—it’s about your health. If you’re using up a few sheets to get the dirty job done, Dr. Teijeiro says that’s a sign your body isn’t happy, and is thus producing stool that’s looser (and messier) than it should. “It’s just an example of us not eating well for our bodies, or eating things we’re sensitive to, having too much stress, or a sign of our microbiome—or our good and bad gut bacteria—not being optimal,” she says. Instead of producing something you’ll have to wipe and wipe and wipe, Dr. Teijeiro says your daily #poopgoals should consist of bowel movements that sink, not float, and
The resurgence of workwear is giving rise to a whole new generation of Rosie the Riveters
November 09, 2018 at 07:00AM A few fashion cycles ago, the internet almost combusted over a $200 cotton DHL T-shirt from the French design collective Vetements. People split in to camps—was it superfluous and excessive or a genius deconstruction of what it means to be designer? The jury, even all these years later, is still out. The episode was a watershed moment, however, that helped bring workwear to the forefront of ready-to-wear fashion. To be clear, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to add some utility to your wardrobe. Quite the opposite actually. For example, this Carhartt Surrey Rain Coat only costs $70, while this G&F version is only $12. And it’s precisely that intersection between affordability and utility that lends workwear its mass appeal. In it, conscientious consumers, who are increasingly interested in reliable, long-lasting, yet affordable investment pieces, have found an antidote to fast fashion and the notion that affordable finds are rarely made to last. In quick order, traditional workwear brands like Carhartt, Dickie’s, Ben Davis, Dr. Martens, and Wrangler have become street-style staples readily available at retailers like Asos, Urban Outfitters, Odin, and Target. Then there’s Carhartt’s Work In Progress (WIP) stores. Currently, there are 80-plus locations worldwide, including Paris, New York City, Tokyo, and London, and each caters to a clientele that’s decidedly more high fashion than Home Depot—even though their inventory is essentially elevated versions of its traditional pieces like overalls and canvas jackets for men and women. View this post on Instagram Look 1. Fall 2018 CALVIN KLEIN #205W39NYC
This healthy butternut squash recipe is totally French…and works in your Instant Pot
November 08, 2018 at 06:18AM Photo: St. Martin’s Griffin The French are known for their love of leisurely dinners, good wine, and complex, rich cuisine. But, apparently, they’re also just as obsessed with Instant Pots as we are here in the States. Quelle surprise! After spending time in France, food and travel writer Ann Mah (author of Mastering the Art of French Eating) realized that electric pressure cookers were the secret weapon for many a French home cook—and now she wants to teach Americans how to use it the way they do across the pond. Her new cookbook, Instantly French: Classic French Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker, features more than 70 mouthwatering recipes you can make with an Instant Pot or other kind of electric pressure cooker. But one in particular really stood out from the crowd: squash gratin. “In the winter months, Paris markets display enormous pumpkins that could double as Cinderella’s carriage, sold by the slice, as thick or thin as you desire,” Mah writes in the book. “Petite pumpkins are called potimarron, because their flavor is reminiscent of chestnuts, while butternut squash is known as le butternut.” (Okay, that one’s a cognate, but when said with a French accent, it definitely sounds fancier.) For this recipe—made with whipped egg whites and a dusting of grated goat cheese—any type will do. “You can use any kind of hard winter squash: pumpkin, butternut, or acorn,” Mah tells me. “They can take a long time to cook on the stove or
Is tofurky actually healthy?
November 07, 2018 at 03:56AM One of the most nostalgia-inducing and essential autumn smells is the waft of sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels, buttery pumpkin pie laced with cinnamon and cardamom, and turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving. But as more people adopt a plant-based or vegan lifestyle, that roasted-turkey-in-the-oven-smell is getting replaced by vegan-friendly options (bless). If there’s one turkey-substitute that reigns supreme on Turkey Day it’s tofurkey. Usually spelled “tofurky,” which is the same name of the OG brand responsible for the product’s existence, tofurky is defined by Urban Dictionary as, “A wondrous creation. It is a vaguely meat-like soy product…and some damn fine eating.” If you’ve ever tried tofurky, you know that definition is pretty spot on. But is this melon-shaped, surprisingly bird-textured vegan classic actually healthy? What exactly is in it anyway? (Besides, you know, the obvious.) “There are many different brands that sell tofurky as well as recipes available online for making your own, each with its own specific add-ins. The only real consistent ingredient is tofu,” says Remedy Review advisor Jillian Kubala, MS, RD. That means that the exact ingredient breakdown of the “loaf” varies. Basically, tofurky can be divided into two categories: homemade and store bought. Photo: Stocksy/Jennifer Brister Homemade versus store-bought tofurky Homemade is almost always better than store-bought when it comes to nutritional density—tofurky included. “Many homemade loafs are either made with rice, lentils, and seasonings, which gives you a nice dose of fiber, or simple ingredients ingredients like tofu and herbs,” says Rachel Berman, RD author of Boosting
Chamomile tea seems snoozy, but it could actually be a sick-day secret weapon
November 02, 2018 at 07:34AM If matcha‘s considered the cool teen of the tea family tree, then chamomile is most definitely the grandma who goes to bed at 8 p.m. But don’t get it twisted—although this seemingly mild herbal brew isn’t the most exotic in the bunch, it’s got quite a few unexpected health benefits up its cardigan sleeve. Okay, so chamomile is quite literally a tea that puts you to sleep, says herbalist and Urban Remedy founder Neka Pasquale, LAc, MS. “In Western herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Ayurveda, chamomile is mainly known for its wonderful relaxation effects,” she says. But the daisy-like plant’s wellness cred doesn’t stop there. “In TCM, chamomile is mainly used to move the qi and treat stagnation, or stuck energy. It’s used in support of the lungs (colds and flu), heart (nervous disorders), and stomach (digestion). In Ayurveda, chamomile is used for gas, bloating, painful menses, insomnia, and to calm the nervous system.” Modern-day scientists, too, are finding some of these assets to ring true—making chamomile tea a good multipurpose pantry staple for those times when you’re feeling not-so-hot. What are some chamomile tea benefits? 1. It might help you sleep: This is probably the number-one thing you think of when it comes to chamomile tea benefits. “It’s [anecdotally] known for supporting a healthy night’s sleep, reducing anxiety, and overall calming,” says Pasquale. There isn’t much data that backs up this commonly held belief, although one recent study did find that the beverage helped reduce insomnia in a sample
The beauty products that make Well+Good editors feel the *most* confident
November 02, 2018 at 04:00AM It’s a time when women aren’t shy about their beauty regimens. People are sharing their skin care with each other via spreadsheets, 10-step Korean beauty routines are not uncommon, and having your beauty products on full display in your bathroom (and even your Instagram) has basically become the norm. Despite the fact that your beauty bag is probably undoubtedly overflowing, there’s always that one standout item that is your proverbial desert island must-have. I’m talking about the one you’ve gotta use every single day, the one you buy a replacement for long before it reaches its last drop, and—most importantly—the one that gives you that instant boost of self confidence. This, of course, could come in any form. Your confidence blanket can be that highlighter that gives your cheekbones an otherworldly glow, that one hair product that gives you good hair days on repeat, or the cover-it-all concealer that hides redness like a pro. I give you all of the beauty products that give Well+Good editors a serious confidence boost, below. Photo: RMS Beauty RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up, $36 “Before discovering RMS’s ‘Un’ cover up, I thought that concealing breakouts was a total beauty myth. Now, even on my reddest, zit-filled days, I feel like I can hold a conversation confidently without constantly feeling paranoid that all people are seeing is my latest whitehead.” —Kells McPhillips, assistant news editor Photo: Fres Skincare Fré Detox Me Post-Sweat Clearing Mask, $54 “I’m obsessed with this made-for-exercisers face mask. Twice a
A Turmeric Tonic For Digestion & More Of Jasmine Hemsley’s Top Ayurvedic Health Secrets
November 01, 2018 at 12:18AM Try out her go-to turmeric tonic for digestion. Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Mer-freakin’-ci: You can now buy France’s #1 body wash brand in the States
October 31, 2018 at 08:49AM The list of things I miss about the year I spent studying in Paris is “a moveable feast”: the winding blocks, the farmers’ markets; how the seats at the outdoor cafe tables faced the street for peak people watching, and how I felt perfectly at liberty to eat an almond croissant for both petit dejeuner (breakfast) and the goûter (afternoon snack). But when it comes to waxing nostalgic about the City of Light’s drugstores, one product stands out in my mind as the belle of beauty aisle: France’s number one body wash, Le Petit Marseillais. Now, you can score the cult-fave stateside, and take the showers and bubble baths of your Francophile dreams. As of last year, Johnson & Johnson (who acquired the French company in 2006), began placing select LPM products in Walmart stores, reports AdAge. And now, you can even order the sweet-smelling lotions and scrubs from Amazon Prime, or shop a select few from Walgreen’s online. Granted, having LPM delivered to my doorstep does not recreate passing the bright green “Pharmacie” cross on a Rue Oberkampf (where I lived), and meandering inside to sniff the floral and fruity contents of each brightly-hued bottle. However, the lavender and apricot perfumed suds might just hold me over until I once again find myself on either bank of the Seine. (I’m not picky! Either will do!) In the meantime, I’ll just be over here U.S. smelling French girl AF. Vive le trans-Atlantic beauty products! The American fitness obsession just made it’s way to France,